Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-09-16
MD, SEPTEMBER 16, 1887.
voices, and felt in no humor to pay

"Still, in spite of hat said,
carefully kept by me the letter of my
unknown admirer.'
"My dressing room was soon filled
by brilliant swarm Of noted person
ages. | questioned. as it were, every
face; but without success. My curl
osity was at fault. The hour of de-
partue sounded the crowd of idle
and eloquent folks disappeared. When
| WAS left alone with my maid, the
latter said to ME in gay tone oil
voice:
madam will be much astonis he'd
at what | am going to tell her.
"What." | asked briskly. have you
found out the name of the virtuous
knight who wrote the letter"
NO" she answered. but now
know what the diamond is worth,
which is far more preferable
Really, Madam" said the woman,
you must forgive me. could bear
the thought of it no longer. While
you were conversing in your dressing
room. | took the stone and showed IT
to H, the noted Palais Royal lapida
nv. Oh, Madam, the splendid dia
nond, NJ. H-estimateo it to be
worth at least 80, 900 francs. He said
it was perfect, of the purest water he
had ever seen in his life, and he knows
IL could not repress movement OF
astcnishment on hearing this; but
scolded the girl for taking such step
without first consulting me-
Well" she added, with comic seri
business. should the invoice be sent
round to morrow. it is we'll for Madam
| TO know wha, the ring is worth. When
person is ignorant OF what he owns,
he is always Ill prepared to pay his
debts.
"Days, months and years went BY
without my hearing anything about
the stranger, as called my unknown
admirer. Ills diamond lay buried in
my jewel case. In fact | no longer
dared to wear it, | looked upon it in
the light of a deposit which might be
claimed some day by some one. Still,
never conld gaze at the gem with
out "a heart hutter,
"One day, as | was dining at the
house OF one Of the lady artistes OF
| the Comedie Franchise. All old friend
OF nv mothers hurried round to in
form me that all my jewels had been
stolen. | FASTENED home, and found
my servants in the utmost consterna-
tion ami the whole place in disorder.
The ncss but too true Ihanks IA
active MEASURES NJ once taken by tar
police. aud aref fPEHuTEg nntk
money. | found out The thief. lie
was arrested, brought before the court
and, as YOU know, sentenced 10 hard
labor for life My jewels we're nearly
Ill recovered by The police, but smN-h-
ed and broken 10 pieces, Alas. the
mysterious ring. which | priced above
all else, wa< among the missing Stones
hich it Was imp ss,ble 10 tinu and
as the singularny of the adventure
which had pet i: into my hands rem
dered it duubly precious in my eyes,
so did | weep It's loss more seriously
than any other Of my G. ms"
~ few wears later, the Baronne lie
b invited me 10 grand masked
ball The whole world of fashion, wit,
cele briiy and distinction Was expected
| TO attend op that occasion. How shall
here lay before YOU u picture of the
| frte? 1t was AN enchanted night.
Not until ) o'clock in thc morning
bad struck did | think about retiring
Jus, as passed through the door
| Of the small boudoir which "A sigma
| from the ball room had empti' d Of its
occupants, II hand was placed on my
arm.
Il started and gazed with sort OF
terror at the bold and enterprising &
phantom. who stood still in front oil
me.
"There WAS certainly no cause to
warrant any alarm on my part, for the
adventurous phantom was an elegant
cavalier. A mask concealed his face
but. in spite of ,ae care lie took to
hide himself. | soon disc,vered-for
woman has quick eye-that | had to
10 with u slim form and white, deli
cate hand, which betrayed the e ntle-
man. He wore the costume Of the
grand seigneurs IN the time Of Charles
VII. A small fiat cap plated all
around in blue velvet, with a brooch
of sparkling diamonds at the top, was
proudly poised on his head, and set of
to advantage movements, which
were full Of his nobleness and vivacity,
that the man was young and Of high
lineage.
I'VE both kept silent for time,l Ok
ing at one another.
".Have you forgotten the represen-
tation Bruess ct Palaprat ? he ut last
inquired in a voice tremulous with
emotion.
Ono | answered. full Of astonish-
ment; how should ! have forgotten !?
"'Ihanks, a thousand thanks, said
he, as he warmly pressed my hand in
his. That Is the remembrance of the
heart, and | had no right to lay claim
to it; oh it is the best for it never ef
faces itself! The other has disappear
ed; did you regret it :?
"As he spoke, he empasized the
word other in manner which went
through my soul. There was no
mstaking his meaning
Yes, | exclaimed, carried away in
spite of my efforts to remain calm
yes, did regret it, not on account Of
its value, but because it was fraught